President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to speak on climate change and energy transition at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington D.C.
Mr Buhari, who would be departing the country today for the summit to be held between December 13 and 15, would be addressing other African leaders billed to attend.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, disclosed this via a statement obtained by Peoples Gazette at the weekend.
Mr Buhari would on the first day of the summit speak on “Conservation, Climate Adaptation, and a Just Energy Transition,” dwelling directly on the “Just Energy Transition” component.
The president would also address some of the other sub-themes as well as participate in the US-Africa Business Forum (USABF) hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which focuses on increased trade and investment between the U.S. and African countries.
“On the sidelines of the Summit, the Corporate Council of Africa will host the Nigerian delegation to a US-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum Business Roundtable during which Nigerian organisations and businesses are expected to sign agreements with their American counterparts,” part of his statement read.
Mr Buhari’s journey to the U.S., alongside 49 other African heads of state, followed the invitation of the country’s president, Joe Biden, to the international summit.
The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit is one of Mr Biden’s top foreign-policy priorities this year and would also be the first opportunity for his administration to showcase how it views U.S.-Africa relations after Donald Trump’s presidency.
The summit is expected to demonstrate the enduring commitment of the U.S. to Africa, and underscore the increased cooperation on shared global priorities.
The summit further seeks to foster new economic engagement; advance peace, security, and good governance; and reinforce commitment to democracy, human rights, and civil society.
Also, it seeks to strengthen regional and global health security; promote food security; respond to the climate crisis; amplify diaspora ties, and promote education and youth leadership.
President Buhari, who will be accompanied on the trip by Governors Bala Mohammed and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Bauchi and Kwara states respectively, some ministers, and other top government officials are expected back in the country on December 18.
